Methods and means for treating emulsified well streams and condensing vapors evolved therefrom



June 7, 1960 WALKER ET AL 2,939,544

P. METHODS AND MEANS FOR TREATING EMULSIFIED WELL STREAMS AND CONDENSING VAPORS EVOLVED THEREFROM Filed May 27, 1957 MN g o o:

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS June 7, 1960 WALKER EIAL P, v 2,939,544 METHODS AND MEANS FOR TREATING EMULSIFIED WELL STREAMS AND CONDENSING VAPORS EVOLVED THEREFROM Filed May 27, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 so 63 s9 90 was 62 66 V f 56 7o 57 as a 84 ,7?

l L v INVENTORS F/g. 2

Jay P. Walker BY Clarence 0. Glasgow June 7, 1960 J. P. WALKER ETAL 2,939,544

METHODS AND MEANS FOR TREATING EMULSIFIED WELL STREAMS AND CONDENSING VAPORS EVOLVED THEREFROM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 27, 1957 Fig. 3

INVENTORS Jay R Walker BY Clarence 0. Glas 0w ATTORNEYS llnited States NIETHODS AND MEANS FOR TREATING EMULSI- FIED WELL STREAMS AND CONDENSING VA- PORS EVOLVED THEREFROM Jay P. Walker and Clarence 0. Glasgow, Tulsa, Okla, assignors to National Tank Company, Tulsa, Okla a corporation of Nevada Filed May 27, 1957, Ser. No. 661,829

8 Claims. (Cl. 183- -237) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in methods and means for treating emulsified well streams andcondensing vapors evolved therefrom.

The invention is particularly concerned with methods and-means for'resolving oil field emulsions wherein the relatively cool incoming well stream is employed for condensing vapors subsequently evolved from the well stream in the treating process with provision for directing vapors rom several points or stages of the treating process into the condenser structure for condensation and retention of valuable light hydrocarbon fractions to increase the quantity and value of the oil recovered.

A further objective of the invention is to conduct the vapors from the various treating stages into the condensing zone while avoiding the possibility of liquid surges flowing through the conductor pipe and resulting in the contamination of the clean separated oil with dirty or emulsified oil.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an improved method and means of the character described in which the incoming well stream, with or without preliminary gas separation, is passed first in intimate heat exchange relationship with vapors evolved in the treating zone, and is then passed in heat exchange relationship with the warm clean oil flowing from the treater structure in order to conserve heat, deliver relatively cool oil to the storage tanks, and obtain a degree of preheating of the well stream prior to introduction thereof into the treating zone, and in which, if desired, only those vapors evolved in the treating zone are passed through the condensing zone so as to avoid possible revaporization of condensates by gas previously removed from the well stream.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical, sectional view of an emulsion treating structure constructed in accordance with this invention and adapted to carry out the methods thereof,

Fig. 2 is a vertical, sectional view of a modification of the emulsion treating structure,

Fig. 3 is a vertical, sectional view of a further modification of the emulsion treating structure, and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, the numeral designates an upright, cylindrical tank having its upper end closed by a domed head 11 and its lower end closed by a dished bottom 12. The tank is carried upon a suitable support 13, and is provided near its upper end with a transverse, horizontal partition 14 which forms with the head 11 a preliminary gas separation chamber 15 in the upper end or portion of the vessel 10.

A combination heat exchanger and condensing struc- 2,939,544? Patented June 7, 1960 ture 16 is mounted vertically on the side of the vessel 10 and includes an elongate tubular shell 17 having a closed bottom 18 and a closed top 19. Intermediate the ends of the shell and near the upper'end thereof, a transverse partition 20 divides the shell into an upper, condensing unit 21 and a lower, heat exchanger 22. A transverse, lower tube sheet 23 is provided within the shell near the bottom 18 thereof, and an upper tube sheet 24 is provided in the upper portion of the heat exchanger section immediately below the transverse partition 20. A plurality of heat exchanger tubes 25 extend between the lower tube sheet 23 and the upper tube sheet 24 of the heat exchanger. The condensing section 21 is provided with a lower tube sheet 26 immediately above the partition 20 and an upper tube sheet 27 spaced below the top 19 with condensing tubes 28 extending between the upper and lower tube sheets 27 and 26.

A well stream or emulsion inlet conductor 29 extends vertically upwardly through the bottom 18, the lower tube sheet 23, the upper tube sheet 24, and the partition 20 to open into the space between the partition 20 and the tube sheet 26 whereby the incoming well stream is caused to flow upwardly into the condensing unit 21 and through the plurality of condensing tubes 28 into the space between the upper tube sheet 27 and the top plate 19 of the condensing section. A discharge conductor 30 leads from this space into the preliminary separation chamber 15, the inlet end of the conductor 30 within the chamber being covered with a diverter box 31 for causing the incoming emulsion stream to flow circumferentially of the side walls of the chamber for scrubbing and gas evolution. The entrance of the emulsion inlet con- 21 in a relatively unheated condition and will not have lost appreciably its cooling capacities for condensation of evolved vapors, as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

The incoming relatively cool emulsion stream, as stated hereinbefore, is spread circumferentially over the side walls of the chamber 15 by means of the diverter box 31, the liquid portions of the stream settling onto the partition 14 to maintain that partition relatively cool, while quantities of gas are separated from the well stream and pass upwardly for removal. The remaining liquids drain from the partition 14 through a conductor 32 extending downwardly therefrom into the lower portion of the heating vessel and laterally through the side wall of the vessel into the space within the shell 17 between the partition 2%) and the tube sheet 24. From this space, the liquids drain downwardly through the heat exchanger tubes 25, thereby cooling said tubes and providing heat exchange with the warm clean oil which flows through the shell side of the heat exchanger, as will be explained hereinafter. The emulsion stream, preheated in this manner, then exits from the lower ends ,of the tubes 25 into the space between the lower tube sheet 23 and the bottom 18 of the shell 17 to flow into the lower portion of the treater vessel 10 through a short pipe or conductor 33. The emulsion stream enters the lower portion of the vessel immediately below a transverse half partition 34 having a depending lip or skirt 35 ,extending approximately medially of the vessel it). Some quantities of free water and heavier emulsion will be present in this well stream, and by means of a trans,-

skimmed from immediately beneath the partition 34 to flow over the upper edge of the bafile 36 and under the lower edge of the skirt or lip 35, and thence upwardly into the treater vessel. The treating sections of emulsion treater vessels are normally filled with relatively warm liquids, and hence, the partition 34 and the layer of liquid immediately therebeneath will be maintained at'an elevated temperature which aids in causing some free water to separate and gravitate downwardly from the layer of emulsion beneath the partition 34 and thus avoid needless heating of this easily separated water.

Suitable heating means, such as the fire tube 37, is provided within the vessel above the partition, and desirably, in substantially vertical alinement with the lip 35 whereby the upwardly flowing liquids are brought into close proximity with the heating tube for thorough warming thereof. The heating of the emulsion stream aids in its breaking or resolution, the liquid passing on upwardly through the body of warm fluids present in the treater vessel into impingement upon a transverse bafiie 38 extending across the vessel above the fire tube 37 and terminating short of one wall of the vessel to provide an opening 39 overlying the partition 34 and through which the heated well fluids may pass upwardly.

A second retention partition 40, similar to the partition 34, is provided in the vessel above the bafile 38, and similarly has a depending skirt or lip 41 overlying the battle 38 and closely positioned to a transverse, vertical baffle 42 similar to the bafile 36. Here, again, the well fluids are momentarily delayed in their upward travel and undergo a degree of Stratification, the lighter and cleaner fluids being skimmed ofl from immediately beneath the partition 40 to flow downwardly and around the lip 41 and pass upwardly into the upper portion of the treater section of the vessel.

Above the partition 40, a pair of spaced, perforated or foraminous plates or partitions 43 extend across the width of the vessel 10 and enclose a filtering section formed of hay, wood excelsior, or other suitable filtering material 44 which functions to aid in coalescing and agglomerating the oil and water particles for eifective and complete separation of the water and clean oil components of the emulsified well stream. The separated water, of course, gravitates to the bottom of the treater vessel, while the clean oil rises to a point spaced slightly below the partition 14 for removal through an oil outlet pipe 45 leading through the side wall of the shell 10 into the shell side of the heat exchanger 22. The warm clean oil flows downwardly around the heat exchanger tube 25, being cooled by the emulsion stream passing through said tubes, and leaving the lower portion of the heat exchanger through the oil outlet conductor 46 in relatively cool and stable condition for delivery to storage tanks or other point of disposal or use. The separated water is removed from the lower portion of the vessel 10 through a conventional water leg structure 47, or by any other suitable or desirable type of water outlet means.

In its passage through the' lower portion of the treater structure, the emulsion or well stream may be heated to temperatures of from 110 degrees Fahrenheit to 180 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and consequently, quantities of gas and vapors of light hydrocarbon fractions will be evolved therefrom. Inherently, heavier hydrocarbon fractions are carried along with these gases and vapors, and it is very important to condense those hydrocarbon fractions, both light and heavy, which may be returned to the liquid state and retained in storage with the clean oil Without excessive evolution of gas from the storage tanks. It is desirable to flow as much oil as possible to the storage tanks, but it is also highly desirable that this liquid be as stable as possible in order that there be minimum evolution or flashing of gas from the stored oil. In the course of this weathering or releasing of gas from oil in storage tanks, not only the very light or fixed gases such as methane and ethane are lost, but also, quantities of heavier hydrocarbon fractions are carried from the storage tank with the escaping gas, and the value and volume of the retained oil are diminished. Accordingly, it is considered important to condense and recover as much liquid as possible, but at the same time, not to recover very light and volatile liquids which may not be retained in storage in conjunction with heavier liquids, or liquids which are heavily gas-laden and will lose both volume and gravity in storage.

To achieve these objectives, those vapors and gases which have not condensed upon the underside of the relatively cool partition 14 and gravitated onto the clean oil, are drawn ofi through a gas outlet conductor 48 extending through the side wall of the shell 10 immediately i below the partition 14 into the shell side of the condensing unit 21 immediately above the lower tube sheet 26. These gases and vapors pass upwardly around the tubes 28 which are maintained relatively cool by the incoming emulsion stream, and a pronounced condensing action takes place resulting in liquefaction of considerable quantities of the evolved vapors, which condensates flow downwardly and are returned to the clean oilthrough the conductor 48.

The uncondensed gases and vapors leave the upper end of the condensing unit from the shell side thereof and immediately beneath the upper tube sheet 27 through a conductor 49 extending laterally through the side wall of the preliminary gas separation chamber 15 and then upwardly to a point near the head 11 for commingling with the gas separated from the incoming well stream within the chamber 15.

The primary evolution of gas from the liquids in the lower portion of the treater will occur in the zone sur-' rounding the fire, tube 37, and it is to be noted that these vapors will be trapped in their upward passage by the partition 40. For conducting these gases and vapors upwardly, and also for minimizing turbulence and agitation in the upper portion of the treater vessel to encourage quite and effective stratification of water and clean oil therein, there is provided an upright gas and vapor conductor 50 extending from the partition 40 upwardly through the two partitions 43 into a tube 51 extending a considerable distance upwardly into the chamber 15 and having a closed upper end 52 in the upper portion of the.

chamber. Gases and vapors are thus carried into the upper end of the tube 51 and then pass downwardly therethrough into the space immediately below the partition 14 for condensation thereon as well as withdrawal through the conductor 48. The tube 51, being exposed to the relatively cool chamber 15 and the relatively cool emulsion stream flowing therethrough, oflers further and amplified condensing surfaces for additional liquefaction and condensation of vapors and their return by gravity to the clean oil layer. The upward extension of the pipe 50 and tube 51 also minimizes the possibility of liquid surges flowing upwardly through the tube 50 and overflowing the upper end thereof to fall into the clean oil layer, resulting in contamination of the clean oil. Thus, not only are increased condensing surfaces provided, but the likelihood of contamination of the clean oil with partially broken emulsified fluids is minimized.

The gas and vapors passed upwardly through the pipe- 50, as Well as those evolved from the surface of the clean oil layer, commingle and pass through the condenser unit 21 for cooling and hydrocarbon liquefaction before entering the chamber 15 for commingling with gas separated from the unheated well stream and the passage of the, well stream downwardly into heat exchange relationship 60 with the separated and warm clean oil.- The emulsion stream is then subjected to a heating step followed by filtering and stratification of the stream to resolve it into its clean oil and water components, the separated and evolved gases and vapors being taken through intimate heat exchange with the incoming well stream before commingling with the initially separated gas for final scrubbing and removal. Further, these evolved vapors and gases are passed over amplified condensing surfaces maintained at relatively cool temperatures by the incoming emulsion stream, and in this manner, very eflective and full condensation of retainable hydrocarbons is achieved.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, there is provided an uprightcylindiical vessel or tank 56 having a domed head 57 at its upper end and a dished bottom 58. A downwardly concave partition 59 is provided intermediate the ends of the vessel and spaced below the upper end thereof. A second, frusto-conical partition 6% is positioned between the partition 59 and the head 57 to form a preliminary gas separation chamber 61 with the head 57 and a condensing and gas scrubbing compartment 62 with the partition 59.

An emulsion or well stream inlet conductor 63 opens into the compartment 61 through a diverter box 64 which causes the incoming fluid stream to flow tangen tially or circumierentially of the side walls of the chamher 61 whereby quantities of gas are separated from the incoming stream and may flow upwardly from the liquid which, of course, gravitates downwardly onto the partition 60. A condensing unit 65 depends from the partition 66 into the compartment 62 and may be any suitable or esirable type of liquid and gas contacting apparatus for heat exchange between the liquid and gases and vapors for condensation of the latter. In the particular embodiment shown in the drawings, the condensing unit includes a plurality of bubble trays 66 having downcomers 67 and a liquid gas seal structure 68 at its lower end. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, heated gases and vapors are caused to flow upwardly through the unit 65 in direct contact and countercurrent flow with liquids passing downwardly therethrough from the compartment 61 for selective condensation of those vapors which may be combined with the clean oil and retained in the clean oil storage tanks. The liquids from the compartment 61, of course, collect upon the partition 59 following their passage through the condensing unit 65 for further downward fiow. Gases separated or accumulated in the compartment 61 are conducted downwardly through the partition 6% by means of a gas conducting pipe 69 extending from a point adjacent the head 57 downwardly through the partition 60 into a diverter box 70 positioned on one side wall of the compartment 62. Thus, the gases are directed circumferentially of the side walls of the compartment 62 for scrubbing of liquid particles therefrom. Also, gases and vapors passing upwardly through the condensing unit 65 and into the compartment 61 will also be returned downwardly through the pipe 69 to the compartment 62.

A heat exchanger structure 71 is mounted vertically on the outside of the vessel 56 and includes an elongate tubular shell 72 closed at its top and bottom and having an upper tube sheet 73 and a lower tube sheet 7 4 spaced from the top and bottom, respectively, of the shell, to form an upper liquid-receiving space 75 and a lower liquid-receiving space 76. A plurality of heat exchanger tubes 77 extend. between the two tube sheets and form channels of communication between the spaces 75 and 76.

For conveying the well stream and emulsified fluids from the chamber 62 to the emulsion treating chamber 78 provided in the lower portion of the tank 56, a drain conductor 79 leads from the partition 59 through the side wall of the treater vessel and into the space 75. Similarly, a short outlet conductor leads from the space 76 intothe bottom portion of the emulsion treater tank beneath a horizontahtransverse partition 31 extending approximately to the center'of the vessel, similarly to the partition 34 of Fig. l, and having a depending lip or skirt 82. The skirt functions to retain liquids for a period of time beneath the partition 81, and a short vertical baffle 83, extending transversely of the vessel 56', causes those liquids closest to the underside of thepan tition' 81 to be skimmed off forfiowing upwardly around the lower edge of the skirt 82 into adjacency with the Y, fire tube 83'. A pair of spaced, foraminous or perforated partitions ,84, similar to the partitions 43, extend transversely of the vessel 56 above the fire tube and enclose a body of filtering material 85; Closely beneath the partion 59, a clean oil outlet pipe 86 extends through the walk of the treater'vessel into the shell 72 beneath the tubesheet 73, and a clean oil outlet conductor 87 extends from the lower portion of the shell immediately above the tube sheet 74. Thus, the relatively warm clean oil is caused to flow downwardly around the heat exchanger tubes 75 to be cooled thereby and to transfer heat to the emulsified stream flowing downwardly through the tubes into the lower portion of the treating chamber '78. Water is removed from the lower portion of the treating chamber through a conventional water leg structure 88.

In the heating of the well stream and emulsified fluids, quantities of gas and vapors will be evolved, and these pass upwardly into contact with the underside of the head 59 for partial condensation thereon due to the relatively cool temperature of the head which has the well fluids flowing over the upper surface thereof. The uncondensed gases and vapors pass upwardly through the head through a gas vent pipe 89 connected into the side of the condensing unit 65 above the liquid gas seal 68 to bubble upwardly through the liquids flowing downwardly through the condensing unit and have further quantities of vapors condensed thereby. The fixed gases and uncondensed vapors will pass upwardly into the chamber 61 for return downwardly through the conductor 69 into the chamber 62 from which all of the separated and evolved gases are removed through the gas outlet 0 extending from the upper portion of the chamber 62. Quantities of vapors will be condensed and reduced to the liquid state within the condensing unit 65 and will be commingledwith the emulsified fluids flowing downwardly through the conductors 79 and to the lower portion of the vessel. Thus, only those liquids and condensates which are returned to the clean oil layer will be withdrawn from the structure through the outlet 37, and by means of the repeated vaporization and condensation which occurs, preferential vaporization of the fixed gases, such as methane and ethane, and very light hydrocarbons will.

occur, while the slightly heavier hydrocarbons which may be retained in liquid storage will be preferentially condensed and retained in the liquid state.

All of the evolved gases and vapors are subjected to the very effective condensing action obtained through the condensing unit 65, all of the gases and vapors are brought into contact with the undersidesof the partitions 59 and 66 for condensation thereon due to the flowing of the relatively cool well fluids over their upper surfaces,

and all of the evolved gases and vapors are ultimatelycommingled in the chamber 62 for any final condensation which may take place prior to withdrawal of the gas through the outlet conductor 90. The general handling of the well stream, the breaking or resolving of the emulsified portions thereof, and the condensation of liquefiable fractions evolved in the heating of the well. stream, are all carried out in the modification of Fig. 2 in much the same fashion as the modification of Fig. 1. It is to be noted, however, that excessive liquid flows into the lower portion of the treating structure, or excessive or sudden formations of relatively large quantities of gas or vapor in the lower portion of the treater cannot:

cause dirty or emulsified fluids to be passed upwardly through the gas pipe 89 in such fashion as to result in 7 contamination of the clean oil layer. Any liquids which might chance to pass upwardly through the pipe 89 would only be returned ultimately to the lower portion ofthe treating structure, and hence, the occasional occurrence of exceptional operational conditions can only result in the passage of gas and liquids into the condensing unit 65 and subsequent return from the chamber 62 to the treater section 78 beneath the partition 81. v

A third form of the invention is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, this modification being very. similar to the modification of Fig. 1 in many. respects and similar elements being identified in Fig. 3 by the same numerals with a prime added thereto.. f r

The primary difierences between the modifications of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 are to be found in the well stream inlet conductor 29' which, instead of. extending upwardly through the heat exchanger 22', is connected into the lower portion of the condensing unit 21' .between the tube sheet 26 and the partition 20'. Further, the lower partitions 34 and 38 are omitted, and instead, the emulsion inlet conductor 33' is provided with a conventional spreader unit 91 of the inverted, perforated trough type. In addition, the vapor and gas conducting pipe 50' does not extend upwardly into a tube 51, as shown in Fig. 1, but instead extends through the side wall of the vessel and is connected into the lower portion of the condensing unit 21 on the shell side thereof and immediately above the tube sheet 26'. The additional gas and vapor conductor 48' is retained and also is connected into the shell side of the condensing unit 21' slightly above the connection thereinto of the conductor 50'.

A double gas and vapor outlet is provided at the upper end of the condenser unit, the gas outlet 49 extending between the shell side of the condenser unit immediately below the top of the tube sheet 27 into the preliminary separation chamber through a cutoif valve 92. An

optional gas outlet also extends from this portion of the.

condenser unit through a conductor 93 extending through a cu-tofi valve 94 into the gas outlet conductor 54'. Thus, uncondensed gases and vapors may electively be discharged into the preliminary separation chamber 15', or into the gas outlet conductor 54' therefor.

With this modification of the invention, any gases and vapors evolved in the zone surrounding the fire tube 37 are conducted directly into the lower portion of the condensing unit 21, and gases and vapors evolved at the surface of the clean oil layer are likewise conducted into the lower portion of the condensing unit. Condensates which occur within the condensing unit drain downwardly through the conductor 50' and are re-introduced into the lower portion of the emulsion treater beneath the hood or partition 40' so as to avoid any possible contamination of the clean oil with water vapors which may be present in the condensates, as well as to eliminate the aforementioned possibility of emulsion and dirty liquids flowing suddenly upwardly through the pipe 50 and returning to the clean oil layer to contaminate the same.

In addition, the uncondensed vapors and gases may selectively be directed to the chamber 15' or to the gas outlet pipe 54' so that the operator is given the choice of commingling these uncondensed gases and vapors with the gas separated in the chamber 15' within the treating vessel, or such commingling may take place exteriorly of the vessel within the outlet pipe 54'.

In all of the forms of the invention, the entire, unheated well or emulsion stream is utilized for condensation of those portions of the evolved gases and vapors which may economically and effectively be returned to the clean oil for satisfactory retention in storage tanks. The well stream is'then passed through a gas separation step and conveyed in heat exchange with the outgoing, warm, clean oil before admission into the lower portion of the emulsion treating section of the structure. Efiective means is provided for trapping evolved gases and vapors and bringing them into intimate heat exchange relationship with the incoming emulsion stream, the modification of Fig. Zadding the desirable step of direct contact between the vapors and the emulsion stream of vapors and gases. The net results obtained in all three of the modifications illustrated as well as the methods and means taught by the invention is the ultimate recoveryof'larger quantities of marketable oil and oil of higher gravity and value. -In each form of the invention, the well stream is taken first through a condensing unit and a gas separation step, is then subjected to heating in a heating or emulsion treatingor breaking chamber, and is then taken to a stratification zone or chamber in which the well stream components separate and stratify into water and clean oil layers with or without prior filtering or agglomeration. The gases and vapors evolved in the heating zone and from the stratification chamber are selectively passed to one or more of vessel partitions which are cooled by the well stream and partially condensed thereon with concomitant cooling in the condenser to produce additional liquefaction. The combined uncondensed gases and vapors are then withdrawn with selective return of the condensates to the heating zone or the clean oil layer.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l. The method of treating emulsified well streams by heat and condensing evolved vapors including, flowing the emulsion stream through a condensing path and a gas separation step, flowing the emulsion stream over at least one partition in the course of flowing the stream through the condensing path and the gas separation step to cool the partition, flowing the emulsion stream into an emulsion treating zone, maintaining a heating zone in the treating zone for heating the emulsion stream, flowing the heated emulsion to a stratification zone wherein water and clean oil separate and stratify, withdrawing clean oil and water, collecting the gases and vapors evolved in the heating zone and passing them in dispersed heat exchange relationship with the emulsion stream in the condensing path to condense portions of said gases and vapors, passing gases and vapors evolved from the stratification zone in heat exchange relationship with the partition and then into commingled relation with the gases and vapors evolved in the heating zone, returning the condensates from the condensing path to the heating zone while excluding said condensates from the stratification zone, and withdrawing uncondensed gases and vapors.

2. An emulsion treating and vapor condensing apparatus including, a vessel, a partition in the vessel dividing the latter into a gas separation compartment and an emulsion treating compartment, a condensing unit having flow paths for evolved vapors and an emulsion stream, means for flowing an emulsion stream through the gas separation compartment and the condensing unit, means for then flowing the emulsion stream over the partition to cool the same, an emulsion stream conductor leading from the partition to the emulsion treating compartment, emulsion heating means in the compartment, water and clean oil outlets from the treating compartment, a hood overlying the heating means for collecting vapors and gases evolved in the zone of the heating means, the hood dividing the treating compartment into a lower heating chamber and an upper stratification chamber, the stratification chamber being exposed to the cool partition, means for flowing gases and vapors evolved in the stratification chamber from the cool partition to the condensing unit, means for flowing the collected vapors and gases from the hood to the condensing unit while excluding said vapors and gases from the stratification chamber and for 9 returning condensates from the condensing unit to the heating chamber while excluding said condensates from the Stratification chamber, and a gas outlet from the vessel.

3. The method of treating emulsified well streams by heat and condensing evolved vapors including, flowing the emulsion through a condensing path and a gas separation step, flowing theemulsion stream over at least one partition in the course of flowing the stream through the condensing path and the gas separation step to cool the partition, flowing the emulsion stream into an emulsion treating zone, maintaining a heating zone in the treating zone for heating the emulsion stream, flowing the heated emulsion to a stratificat-ion zone wherein water and clean oil separate and stratify, withdrawing clean oil and water, collecting the gases and vapors evolved in the heating zone and passing them into dispersed heat exchange relationship with the emulsion stream in the condensing path to condense portions of said gases and vapors, passing gases and vapors evolved from the Stratification zone in heat exchange relationship with the partition and then into commingled relationship with the gases and vapors evolved in the heating zone, returning the condensate from the condensing path to a point below the upper portion of the stratification zone, and withdrawing uncondensed gases and vapors.

4. An emulsion treating and vapor condensing apparatus including, a vessel, a partition in the vessel dividing the latter into a gas separation compartment and an emulsion treating compartment, a condensing unit having flow paths for evolved vapors and an emulsion stream, means for flowing an emulsion stream through the gas separation compartment and the condensing unit, means for then flowing the emulsion stream over the partition to cool the same, an emulsion stream conductor leading from the partition to the emulsion treating compartment, emulsion heating means in the compartment, water and clean oil outlets from the treating compantment, a hood overlying the heating means for collect-ing vapors and the gases evolved in the zone of the heating means, the hood dividing the treating compartment into a lower heating chamber and an upper stratification chamber, the Stratification chamber being exposed to the cool partition, means for flowing gases and vapors evolved in the stratification chamber from the cool partition to the condensing unit, means for flowing the collected vapors and gases from the hood to the condensing unit while excluding said vapors and gases from the stratification chamber, means for returning condensates from the condensing unit to a point spaced below the upper portion of the stratification chamber, and a gas outlet from the vessel.

5. The method of treating emulsified well streams as set forth in claim 3 wherein gas is withdrawn from the gas separation step separately from the withdrawing of uncondensecl gases and vapors from the condensing path.

6. The method of treating emulsified well streams as set forth in claim 3 wherein uncondensed gases and vapors are withdrawn from the condensing path and conducted to the gas separation step and commingled with gas separated from the well stream in said gas separation step, and withdrawing from the gas separation step the commingled gas from said separation step and the uncondensed gases and vapors from the condensing path.

7. An emulsion treating and vapor condensing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the gas outlet from the vessel extends from the gas separation compartment, and separate means for withdrawing uncondensed vapors and gases from the condensing unit.

8. An emulsion treating and vapor condensing apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the gas outlet from the vessel extends from the gas separation compartment, and means for conducting uncondensed vapors and gases from the condensing unit into the gas separation compartment for commingling with gas separated from the well stream in the gas separation compartment and withdrawal from the latter compartment with said separated gas through the gas outlet.

Referenees Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,420,115 Walker et a1. May 6, 1947 2,528,032 Candler et al Oct. 31, 1950 2,685,938 Walker Aug. 10, 1954 2,713,919 Walker et a1. July 26, 1955 2,765,917 Francis Oct. 9, 1956 2,780,304 Pew et a1. Feb. 5, 1957 2,808,123 Walker Oct. 1, 1957 

